House Bill No. [insert number] aims to establish Chapter 20-B of Title 51 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, titled the "Platforms Reporting Online Trafficking, Enticement, and Exploitation of Children Timely" or the "PROTECT" Act. This legislation introduces definitions related to child exploitation and mandates that covered platforms—defined as online platforms, video games, messaging applications, and video streaming services—implement a clear and conspicuous reporting mechanism for users to report suspected child sexual abuse material and other forms of child exploitation. The bill outlines specific requirements for the reporting mechanism, including ease of access, clear labeling, and the ability to submit reports without account registration.

Additionally, the bill establishes penalties for covered platforms that fail to comply with the reporting requirements. The attorney general is granted the authority to investigate violations and initiate civil actions, with penalties reaching up to $5,000 per day for non-compliance, and additional fines for repeated violations. The collected penalties will be directed to the Department of Justice to support investigations into cyber crimes involving child exploitation. Overall, the PROTECT Act aims to enhance the accountability of online platforms in safeguarding children from exploitation.